(credit: ON-AIRSTREAMING)

Fresh off the scandalicious rendezvous that made headlines and got them ejected from a Southwest flight, affectionate Uh Huh Her bandmates Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey are turning heads once again—this time, though, they're attracting attention with their knockout second album Nocturnes.

Co-produced by UHH's own Camila Grey and singer/songwriter and producer, Wendy Melvoin, Nocturnes is a notable step up from their previous album.

Uh Huh Her's first album, Common Reaction, was pop/electronic. This follow-up, however, is "a rock album, not really electronic," Grey says. As if to portray its title, Nocturnes, the group's sound has become much darker — this may be in part because their new work was recorded at night.

Their first single, "Another Case," flaunts its rich, quintessentially UHH sound, complete with a catchy melody polished off by a layer of mystique. This album also includes "Same High," which was part of a Golden Globe nominated soundtrack album of the last year's critically acclaimed movie The Kids Are All Right. I wouldn't say this is a light and bright song, but the track is relatively upbeat and fun, and it is my personal favorite.

Hailey and Grey, however, both cite "Wake to Sleep" as their favorite track. Grey calls it a "a very literal song" — one that she wrote, in fact, about Hailey. This track stands out because this is one of the only dreamy and pleasant-listening songs on the album.

Though Grey was under the weather during their current Keep A Breast Tour to promote breast cancer awareness, the duo showcased many of the new songs from their latest album and the EP they released earlier this year. As a special addition to their show at the House of the Blues in Chicago, they covered Jeff Buckley's "Yard of Blonde Girls."

Hailey recently received extensive media coverage when she accused Southwest of discrimination via Twitter. Of the incident, Grey says simply, "I don't fly [with] them anymore."

As they continue with their Keep A Breast Tour during National Breast Cancer Prevention Month, Hailey said that they will be releasing three more videos from the album.

— Jennifer Suh

(Source: The Daily Northwestern)

Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey of Uh Huh Her sat down with Andrew from Rabbits Black to talk about the new album, being independent, the Keep A Breast Tour, and why their music is really Rock n Roll. The interview was conducted on Wednesday, October 26th at the House of Blues in Dallas before their show in the Cambridge Room.


Rabbits Black (RB): Rabbits Black here with Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey of Uh Huh Her. Just came through Austin and Houston on their way here to Dallas, touring with the first ever Keep a Breast Tour. How’s the tour been going so far?

Camila Grey (Camila): It’s been going well. We’ve only been out for 2 ½ weeks, and everything has been well attended, and we’re getting a good response,

Leisha Hailey (Leisha): …and it feels good not just to be touring for yourself, it feels good to be a part of something important.

Camila: Exactly.

RB: Well, how did this relationship with the Keep A Breast Foundation develop?

Leisha: It actually came through our manager. She’s good friends with somebody in the organization, so it just sort of spawned this idea… well, I’m sure they already had the idea to do it…

Camila: Ya, it was the first actual musical tour where they’ve hired bands, and got together with Live Nation to get musicians together to promote awareness through music to younger people. So it’s geared toward trying to reach younger people; and you know, this music is supposed to be “cool”, so maybe people will come out for that very reason.

Leisha: Right.

Camila: I think that’s their angle. But it’s the first tour they’ve ever done.

Leisha: But it’s a great tour. I’m sure in the next five years it’s going to be the next Lollapalooza or something (laughing).

RB: Well, it’s a great message. Now, as a female group, with a largely female following, do you feel a particular connection to the cause?

Camila: Definitely. Both of my grandmothers are survivors of breast cancer, and fortunately they were able to catch it early enough that they could take care of it and live a very healthy, fruitful life. So the cause definitely rung with me, and I thought it would be a great cause to support.

RB: Well, let’s change topics and talk about the new album, Nocturnes, that you’re touring on right now. It took you three years to make this album…

Leisha: …ish.

Camila: Ya, not really three years to make, exactly. It took 9 months to make, but 3 years to finally come out.

RB: Well, when you were making this album, you were independent, right?

Camila: Ya, we had just been dropped from our label.

Leisha: And we had just gotten rid of our managers.

Camila: We just went on a firing spree. (laughs)

Leisha: (laughs)

Camila: We just wanted to start over.

Leisha: So we rented a rehearsal space in Van Nuys, California, and we just started meeting there every day. We set up all our equipment, and sat there and talked about how we were gonna…

Camila: …finance everything…

Leisha: …do it on our own. Ya, finance the whole thing.

RB: How did that whole process – being independent, having to worry about financing everything on your own – influence the two of you?

Camila: Literally, in every way. It influenced the way did everything, especially in having to take this next step towards becoming real business people and really running a small business. It was just off to the races with that.

Leisha: It’s like being in a big washing machine. Everything you make has to go right back in to the company. It’s not like we get to pocket what we make.

Camila: Just like any small business.

Leisha: It’s been a learning curve, for sure, but we’re doing it… and thank god for Amex! (laughs)

Camila: (laughs) In fact, Amex should be sitting right here, instead of this Gatorade (pointing to a bottle of G on the table).

Leisha: Ya, so we basically put all of our front costs on Amex, and by the end of what we do we try to pay it off, and hopefully profit a little bit. But we have to deal with everything like that. Our merch, pressing CDs… everything pretty much.

Camila: It wasn’t one of those things where we were asking people to donate money to us; we were trying to run it like an actual business. Now mixing the record was another story. We had run out of money, and we wanted Chad Blake to mix it. We’re big fans of his. But he’s a bit pricy.

Leisha: (laughing) … and he doesn’t accept Amex.

Camila: So we set up an auction to sell some pretty cool original things. We’d sell some cool guitars that we’d played, or made mix-tapes, and just did all of these little creative things, and raised well over ten thousand dollars. We actually got the record mixed that way. It has sort of been a culmination of a lot of different things, a lot of different ways to finance all of this stuff.

RB: The two of you have also been very good using social media to promote yourselves, and to raise funds…

Camila: Well, we try (laughs, looking at Leisha).

Leisha: Ya, I’m still learning.

Camila: I’m like the twitter guru, or at least I try to be anyway. But it’s really important, because it’s a direct connection to your fan base, and without that we’d be lost. Because that’s the marketing aspect of record labels that you don’t get as an indie artist, so it’s really cool that our fans are helping us out as well.

RB: Do you think the whole indie experience has changed your songwriting as well?

Leisha: Ya, definitely.

Camila: This record is definitely a bit darker, considering the events of the past couple years, both personally and, well, what happens with the industry… having been put into this washing machine and getting spit out…

Leisha: … and also having the luxury of time made a big difference.

Camila: Ya, it was dark subject material, but we had the luxury of being on our own schedule. It’s a great situation for a musician. All I’ve ever wanted to do was hole myself away and write a record. The first record we did, Common Reaction, took us a month and a half to make, and it was really rushed. So this was the complete opposite, the complete antithesis of that experience. On this record we really took our time and had fun with it. There was no pressure or expectations…

Leisha: Or outside opinions.

Camila: Ya.

Leisha: Well, we got them, but from people we respected…

Camila: …and from people who weren’t making money off of us. So it was a completely different experience, but a positive one.

RB: So is that where the album title comes from? Nocturnes?

Leisha: Ya.

Camila: Ya. It’s from a lot of things. I’m a classical nerd, and we wrote a lot of it at night, and the majority of it was done in the late late hours of the night, and the subject matter is dark, so we thought it was an appropriate title.

RB: But at the same time, this album has a few upbeat songs, and the tempo has definitely picked up from the last album.

Camila: Absolutely. The subject matter is dark, but I think the music is positive. You know, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s hopeful in a way… it’s dark, but it’s hopeful.

RB: Was this more upbeat tempo intentional when you started making this record, or was it just sort of organic.

Camila: Organic, for sure. Some of the songs are older that we revisited, that I had written back in my solo days. Back when I didn’t know what I was doing, and didn’t have a band, so I just wrote stuff. Some of it she just wrote on her own…

Leisha: And I think the drums made a huge difference. Just having drums, using the live drums, gave it this…power… this powerhouse behind the music that we didn’t have on the first record.

Camila: We used a huge 29 in. kick on a Jon Bonham. Like a proper Jon Bonham kit from “When the Levee Breaks” inside a cement cathedral room. So the drums were huge.

Leisha: Ya, that made a huge difference.

RB: Well, you can definitely feel the drums. It gets the audience moving a little more than Common Reaction.

Camila: It’s a lot more Rock. I don’t know why they put it in the electronic category. I don’t feel like it’s electronic whatsoever…

RB: …the synth probably plays into that a little bit.

Camila: Ya, your probably right (laughs).

Leisha: (laughs) Ya.

Camila: I was like ‘we wanna be a rock record.’ But I don’t get to decide.

RB: Now, the two of you have been very involved in the industry for a while now, and you have a lot of other pursuits, but is it safe to say that Uh Huh Her is your primary focus right now?

Camila: For the moment, ya. I think for the both of us.

Leisha: Ya. I think we both wanted to focus this year on the band, and put all of our energy into this, and we’ve done that. Who knows what next year is going to bring, but…

RB: You both have also had very different sounds in the past, with past groups that you’ve been with. Is this sound you have right now with Uh Huh Her something you feel comfortable with? Or is it still evolving?

Camila: I think it’s still evolving. To say that you’re always going to do one thing… it’s moody. Music is moody. You’re going to have different moods, and you’re going to grow with that, and hopefully the music is going to grow with that, and change… change with the mood… I might be feeling down one day and feel like doing a whole violin record, you never know. You know what I mean? That’s how music is. I think we’re just going to continue to grow, and explore new territory.

Leisha: Definitely.

Camila: I think if we don’t change, it gets really monotonous and boring.

Leisha: Also, we’re just starting to get to know each other musically more and more, and that makes a huge difference.

RB: Well, as a little something for our readers, what are the two of you listening to right now?

Camila: …ooh.

Leisha: I love the new Bon Iver record. That’s like my favorite right now.

RB: A lot of time on the tour bus… I’m sure you’ve had time to listen to quite a bit…

Leisha: Actually, on the bus, we watch Friday Night Lights. We’re obsessed with that show right now.

RB: Well, it’s a big hit here in Texas as well.

Camila: What am I listening to right now? What is that… (hums… na na na “to your love”) song?

Leisha: James Blake.

Camila: Ya, James Blake. I love that record. So good. Big Black Delta as well. He’s an old band mate of mine, and he has a new project that I think is really great. Let’s see… the new St. Vincent is awesome… what else? I’m just trying to think of new records. I don’t know. Insert a little Zeppelin and some Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon, and that’s sort of my mood.

RB: Finally, we’re an LA-based publication with a largely LA following, is there anything you want to tell our readers before you head out there next week?

Camila: Come to our show at the House of Blues!

Leisha: Ya, definitely that. Also, to look out for our videos, because we’ve made four videos. We made them a couple of months ago. We’ve already put one out, and we have three more coming… so look out for those.

Camila: And we’re hopefully going to do our own official YouTube Channel soon. Sort of like “Uh Huh Her TV”, and we’re going to have our own little show that we’re going to do, that’s up and coming, so they can look forward to that. So mostly to look out for music videos, and maybe this little TV show that we’re trying to make.

RB: TV show?

Leisha: Well, TV show is pushing it.

Camila: Ya, that’s pushing it.

RB: That’s a little tease…

Camila: Definitely teasy. So ya, we’re planning a lot of things right now. And we’re going to try to get to Europe as well, to tour the record. Finally.

Leisha: Next summer. Finally.

RB: You haven’t had a chance to get to Europe yet?

Camila: No, we couldn’t find a booking agent. But we finally found one who’s willing to take us on and throw us a little, so we’re getting excited about that.

RB: Well, you’re getting a great response on this tour so far, and hopefully that paves the way for the European tour as well.

Camila: Ya, we hope so.

RB: Ok, well thanks for talking with us, and we’re looking forward to the show tonight.

Camila: Thank you.

Leisha: Ya, thank you, and come see us in LA!

Rabbits Black would like to thank Camila and Leisha for their time. To help support this band, or just to check out what they’re doing next, visit their official site, or check them out on facebook or myspace.

（Source: rabbitsblack.com）

Uh Huh Her - Human Nature from On-Airstreaming.com on Vimeo.

アコースティックな感じで気持ちいい！

Camila Grey and Leisha Hailey are Uh Huh Her, and they’re presently touring North America with the “Keep A Breast” Tour (yep, it’s about Breast Cancer prevention). And their brand spanking new album Nocturnes came out just barely two weeks ago.

SO… To celebrate all of these things (and because we’ve loved Hailey throughout her Murmurs and “L-Word” days, and also because Grey is just a smokin’-hot musician too) we corralled them into a studio for a quick interview.

Watch the pair discuss their music, their tour, the inspiration they get from drag queens, Hailey’s early years performing in the subways of NYC, their work with super-producer Wendy Melvoin (of “Wendy & Lisa”/Prince fame) and why their new album sounds like forest creatures having sex. (Their words, not mine!!!)

（Source: NEWNOWNEXT)

Last year, breast cancer cut short the lives of 40,000 American women. Though we have yet to develop the miracle cure for cancer, there are organizations out there that are committed to raising awareness and finding a way to beat this disease for good.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Prevention Month, the Keep a Breast Foundation and House of Blues Entertainment have come together to host the Breast Cancer Prevention tour starring none other than Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey, the lovely ladies of the band Uh Huh Her.

Sponsored by Emergen-C Pink, which has donated more than $450,000 to the cause since 2007, the yearlong tour will visit colleges, music festivals, and events throughout the United States and Canada to raise awareness of preventative measures against breast cancer.

On October 10 in New York City, Leisha and Camila performed songs from their latest album, Nocturnes, for a packed venue of fans chanting their names. And with their tuned vocals, sultry looks, and fearless attitudes, the two definitely succeeded in making the night unforgettable.

As they introduced their new song, “Criminal,” to the crowd, Camila told supporters, “This is for people like us”– a possible reference to their recent experience of being thrown off a Southwest airlines flight for kissing each other.

During the show, we caught up with Erica Leite, the event’s coordinator, as she sold packets of Emergen-C Pink and the foundation’s bracelets, totes, and tees to a slew of eager guests. When Leite joined the Keep a Breast Foundation six years ago, she was a dedicated volunteer, eventually quitting her job and moving her every possession out of her apartment and into storage to hit the road with the organization.

Why? To help promote an important message to young people: the message of prevention. Many teens and twenty-somethings believe they don’t have to worry about breast cancer, but Leite wants them to know that this deadly disease can strike anyone at any time.

“One of the most heartbreaking and empowering e-mails I’ve received was from a 22-year old woman,” Leite said. “She had attended one of our events and was inspired to examine her breasts. She found five lumps and ended up undergoing a double mastectomy. Our outreach helped her seek treatment before it was too late.”

Though Southwest Airlines has yet to offer the couple behind Uh Huh Her an official apology, it hasn’t stopped Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey from rocking out to promote breast cancer awareness. These gals were all smiles when we got a chance for a quick meet in their dressing room.

We know your experience with Southwest was far from positive. Do you have any final thoughts on the situation?

Camila Grey: We did receive a refund for our tickets, but the airline hasn’t offered an official apology. And you know, while I’d like to believe this was an isolated incident, there have been more and more stories popping up about gays and lesbians being discriminated against by certain companies. The silver lining in our experience is that people have been coming forward and speaking up about incidents like these.

Leisha Hailey: We’d just like to move on from the whole thing. Unfortunately, one homophobic stewardess tried to speak for the entire airline and it’s such a shame that homophobia is still out there.

You’ve been performing to raise awareness for preventative measures against breast cancer. Have either of you been personally affected by breast cancer?

CG: Both of my grandmothers are actually breast cancer survivors. They both had mastectomies in the 1980s. I was definitely inspired by them to try and reach out to young people and help educate them on what they can do to take care of themselves.

LH: Especially since the focus is usually on what people do when they have breast cancer. Survivor stories are so important, but we also need to focus on prevention and lifestyle choices.

CG: Young women need to know about being healthy, and this organization does it in a cool way– it’s not textbook. Women should get tested and I think it’s definitely promoting that message in a creative and new way.

For fans who weren’t able to score tickets to your performance, how is your new album different from your previous work?

LH: Our new work is definitely more rock driven. Before, we were more electro pop focused. This new music is more organic rock. We were really inspired by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

CG: Yeah, there are lots of drums –it’s pretty epic.

How would you describe your personal style –has it evolved over the years?

LH: We both shop a lot of vintage, and that really hasn’t changed. I go for pieces that are interesting and make me feel comfortable. I guess I don’t have a set style, but if I had to pick I favorite designer it would be Miu Miu.

CG: Alexander McQueen clothes and Marc Jacobs jewelry for me!

We know you’ve toured the country, but what do you like most about New York?

CG: We love New York in general– people have such an appreciation for music here!

LH: And the after parties are pretty great, too.

You both look so confident on stage; have you had any slipups or embarrassing moments recently?

CG: I’m the clumsy one. I’m actually really, really clumsy. The last show, I dropped my ear pack in the toilet. They’re really expensive, so I ended up drying it out. I still use it. Also, there was this show in London where I wore two different heels. I didn’t even realize it until I got on stage! I was standing there in two different colored shoes and heels were different heights, too!

（Photo by Brittany Morgan）

Nocturnesの歌詞をアップしました。
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Nocturnes [ lyrics ]

二人の演奏シーンがメインのcoolなMusic Video。